PMR , RA, or?????? help pls! | Arthritis Information

I have seen another " fill in" rheumy today as mine was away ill.

This one thinks I may have RA or reactive arthritis or zero negative RA??

I have been treated for PMR for over 4 years and taking Pred in various doses along the way. I got a T10 osteoporosis fracture and was told to
reduce pred. I was at 4mg then, and to help get off, take Plaquenil and a few months later added 15mg MTX.

So today I have had lots more blood and urine tests and need to arrange to have both hands Xrayed.... My hands have been extremely stiff in the mornings and my feet are very swollen. My knees are so stiff and sore , I can hardly get on and off the loo, out of chairs, ect..

I stopped Pred last month, going very slowly and these extra symptoms have come out in the last few months.

I am still on Plaquenil and MTX. Tramadol for pain as well!

and now back on Pred 5mg.. and see what happens with my test results!!

I hate going back on Pred... but ???

Any ideas, feedback ect? I always read this forum as it is a lot more active than the PMR forum. But tonight I am in shock! Can't remember what I have learnt about RA!

gentle hugs to all, Lyn from OZHi LynM

Its such a nightmare to get a diagnosis quickly, which makes treating it very frustrating.

I have seroneg RA.

Hopefully something will show in your new bloods or the xrays. Mine was diagnosed by my xrays as my blood tests dont show much at all.

How do you find the Tramadol ? I have been on it for 3 years and I dont think it has much

effect, although someone suggested I add a paracetemol tablet as well and that did help.

I suffer from stiff painfull hands and feet, like the little bones are broken, more so in the morning.

I really hope you get a diagnosis soon.

take care

TTTAuto immune disease is a crazy ride. I wish you luck my dear. Please let us know what you find out. This forum would make anyone dizzy today. I was looking for your post and bing bang there it was on the top.

You certainly have all of our support. I hope things get straightened out for you. If you have RA we are here to help you as much as we can.

Thank you Mrs P and Milly for your support.
My next appointment was made for 29th March! I asked Rheumy about getting the results sooner and he said as long as I was getting relief back on Pred, then the end of March would be okay!!
Boy, do I have news for him! I have asked for a copy of my blood and urine tests to be sent to me and my primary care Dr.... so I should know something next week sometime..
Thanks again, gentle hugs to all, Lyn
Sorry Mrs P I forgot to answer your question re Tramadol.
I have felt the same and have tried going back to 50mg 2 /3 times a day instead of 2 100mg slow release tabs.. About a week and I am looking for the 100mg again. It does seem to hold the pain away better and I also take Panadol Osteo 2 to 6 tabs a day depending on what is happening.
The Plaquenil and MTX I wonder if they are working, but I am not stopping either of them at the moment. Do you take these or any other?
I have had 2 doses of 5mg Pred and can start to feel a bit easier already!! Lyn
I would not worry about taking 5mg of pred as it is a small dose.

LynM

I dont take any MTX anymore, just the tramadol. I also take 2 slow release.

Quite strange as i used to take them and they worked well , I think its like anything though, your body gets used to it and the effectiveness isnt as good.

I tried stopping the tramadol but if you ever do , be careful. Do it slowly as it makes you feel very sick.